Act did in its Consequence take a large Profit from one or two

considerable Merchants, who had the Trade to_ Canada, _intirely in their Hands, they endeavoured to raise a Clamour against it in the Province, and presented likewise Petitions to the King, in Order to get the Act repealed. Upon this Occasion Mr._ Burnet _gave me the Perusal of the Publick Register of_ Indian _Affairs, and it was thought the Publication of the History of the_ Five Nations _might be of Use at that Time_.

_I shall only add, that Mr._ Burnet's _Scheme has had its desired Effect: The_ English _have gained the Trade which the_ French, _before that, had with the_ Indians _to the Westward of_ New-York; _and whereas, before that Time, a very inconsiderable Number of Men were employed in the_ Indian _Trade Abroad, now above three hundred Men are employed at the Trading House at_ Oswego _alone; and the_ Indian _Trade has since that Time yearly increased so far, that several_ Indian _Nations come now every Summer to trade there, whose Names were not so much as known by the_ English _before_.

_This History, from_ New-York, _soon went to_ England, _and I have been informed, that a Publication, with a Continuance of that Work, would be acceptable there. I have the more chearfully complied with this Notice, because of the War threatened from_ France, _believing that a Publication of this Kind may be useful, whether the present Inquietudes between the two Nations end in a War or in a Treaty. The_ French _have encouraged several Publications of this Sort at_ Paris, _and certainly such may be more useful in a_ British _Government, where the People have so great a Share in it, than it can be in a_ French _Government, intirely directed by the Will of their Prince_.

_I now continue this History to the Peace of_ Reswick, _and if I find this acceptable, and that a farther Continuation of it be desired, I shall, if my Life and Health be preserved, carry it down farther; but as I have too much Reason to doubt my own Ability, to give that Pleasure and Satisfaction which the Publick may expect in Things thus submitted to their View, I think it not justifiable to trouble them with too much at once_.

THE

H I S T O R Y

OF THE

Five _INDIAN_ Nations,

DEPENDING

On the Province of _NEW-YORK_.

* * * * *